The Move, Part I: "Hands-On Room" to Collaboratory

Chris, Marie, and David cataloging artifacts as they prepare to move them from the "Hands-On Room" to the new cabinets.

Intern Derek D'Agostino carefully bringing the artifact cart into the collaboratory while David follows.

After the installation was complete and the safety and security of the new cabinets were approved, Quint, Christian Cloke (assistant director), David Symanzik-Stock (PhD student), Marie Valouiski (intern), Derek D'Agostino (intern), and Peter Connaghan (intern) joined forces to move the Study Collection objects from the "Hands-On Room" to the Collaboratory.

These objects, representing a variety of cultures and origins, were either donated to the department or excavated by UMD archeologists and students in partnership with international governments (some are under special consideration due to unclear origins). They were carefully transported from the "Hands-On Room" by cart, with extra cushion support utilized for round and unstable artifacts. The original locations of the artifacts within the wooden cabinets were noted and cataloged for archival purposes.

David, Peter, and Marie discuss artifact placement while Quint walks away.

Derek places artifacts in the drawers while David records.

Peter bringing more artifacts into the Collaboratory on a cart with the mostly filled cabinet in the background.

Once all of the objects from the hands-on room were moved into the Collaboratory, the team displayed the large-scaled objects within the cabinet shelves, with consideration of the artifacts’ culture of origin, location, physical dimensions, and aesthetics. Smaller objects were placed in the wide, sleek drawers underneath the shelves. New locations paired with object data were cataloged. Check out the layout of the artifacts on Neatline to learn more!